Hamber, Eric Werge (1879-1960)

Eric Werge Hamber was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on April 21, 1879 (although many sources say that he was born in 1880). His father was Frederick Edmund Marsh “Eric” Hamber (1853-1913), a teacher of English, mathematics, and music at St. John’s College School in Winnipeg. His mother was Ada G. Jefferson (1853-1917).

Eric attended his father’s school in Winnipeg. He was an accomplished student and an active participant in many sports. He received an honours degree in classics in 1898.

He started work as a clerk with the Dominion Bank. The bank transferred him to Toronto from 1902 to 1904; he was back in Winnipeg in 1904. In 1906, he became the manager of a branch of the bank in Calgary, Alberta.

In 1907, he opened the Dominion Bank’s first branch in Vancouver. He became a member of the Vancouver Rowing Club.

In 1913, Eric resigned from the bank and joined John Hendry’s B.C. Mills Timber and Trading Company. He later became the president and general manager of the company. John Hendry died in 1916, and left his businesses to Aldyen and Eric.

Eric and Aldyen built a large house at called “Greencroft” at 3838 Cypress Street in Shaughnessy Heights.

In 1915, Eric became a member of a special joint committee that dealt with military hospitals.

After the war, Eric’s businesses were very successful. They included timber, banking, railways and coal developments. He also acquired the Minnekahda farm property in Coquitlam that had formerly belonged to Harry Leroy Jenkins (who lived at 1846 Nelson Street from 1908 to 1912). Several years later this property became Minnekhada [sic] Provincial Park.

He was active in many sports, including sailing, golf, and horse racing.

From 1936 to 1941 he was the lieutenant-governor of British Columbia. While he and Aldyen were attending the coronation of King George VI in 1937, Eric became a Knight of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1941 he returned to private life, and William Culham Woodward became the lieutenant-governor.

Eric later became the Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. He also became a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.

Eric died in Vancouver on January 10, 1960. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

Aldyen died in Vancouver on October 3, 1988. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

“Shaughnessy mansion at centre of controversy over plan to save it,” by Frances Bula, Vancouver Sun, June 26, 2001, pages B-1 and B-2 (includes photograph of Greencroft, the former house of Eric Hamber).

“Surreal Estate,” National Post, April 16, 2005, page FW7 (includes photograph of Greencroft, the former house of Eric Hamber).

The Winnipeg Tribune, October 5, 1940, page 10; “The engagement is announced in Hamilton of Miss Joy Thompson, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Thompson of Hamilton, Ont., and granddaughter of Major-General, the Hon. S. C. Mewburn, P.C., K.C., C.M.G., to Pilot Officer Eric Colquhoun Hamber, R.C.A.F., only son of Mrs. Norah E. Johnson of Winnipeg, and the late Captain H. B. Hamber. The marriage will take place In Hamilton, October 12.”

“E.W. Hamber Testifies in Divorce Suit,” Vancouver Sun, March 19, 1949, page 2; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wIBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_IkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1520%2C3451501. “New Westminster, March 19.—Former Lieutenant-Governor Hon. Eric W. Hamber appeared in divorce court here Friday to give evidence in a suit involving his nephew. . . . Mr. Hamber gave evidence in the suit of Mrs. Joy Chilton Hamber, 17 Chilton Place, Hamilton, Ont., against Eric Colquehon [sic] Hamber, a nephew of the former lieutenant-governor. The nephew, his namesake, was contesting the divorce. . . . The wife was granted the divorce and given sole custody of two children, and awarded $100 a month alimony and $50 a month for each child. . . . The former lieutenant-governor said he had lost track of his nephew, whom he had cared for since the death of his brother in France in 1917.”